Cerebral Palsy

"There's never a dull moment."Reed Matthews, the instructor who oversees the gas station, called it "the most satisfying of any job" he's ever had.The Arc of North Webster, which celebrated 45 years of service in 2006, is partly funded by the federal government, at about $600,000 annually, and the state government at $200,000, Dees said.

Though government funding has increased some, the organization — which is licensed by the State Department of Health and Hospitals -— is coping with rising insurance costs.Decades ago, ARC — an organization with more than 850 chapters across the nation that include one each for Caddo-Bossier, DeSoto and North Webster — operated as a sheltered workshop where people with disabilities would go and watch movies or take field trips, for example.Put preparing people with disabilities for the world in which they live is part of the progressive move the nonprofit organization is taking, Dees said."The parents and responsible bodies entrust them to our care and I take that job seriously," Dees said.

"I want to see them succeed.

I want them to be a part of the community."And their do...

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